In his new movie, About a Boy, the
beguiling British actor plays a London bachelor. In this
story, he plays London tour guide. And we think you'll want
to tag along.
London has provided both setting and role in Hugh Grant's best
films: Four Weddings and a Funeral (in which Grant plays a
lovelorn London bachelor), Notting Hill (London bookseller
seduced by Hollywood star), Bridget Jones's Diary (London
boss/cad), and, out this month, About a Boy (rich, childless
Londoner who invents a son to help him meet women). The setting is
apropos, for "Londoner" has always been Grant's real role in life.
Born and bred in the suburb of Fulham, he was educated at Oxford
and worked as a salesman at Harrods and as a London copywriter
before becoming an actor. Today, his star shines internationally,
but for Grant, there's no place like home.FRIDAYLODGING
"I've never stayed in a hotel in London in my life, because I live
there. But I've certainly visited people who look like they're
having a very luxurious time at The Dorchester and at Brown's,
which always struck me as a romantic, special place. They're both
historic. The Dorchester is the huge one on Park Lane, and I'm told
by my American friends that it has the fastest and most delicious
room service in the world. You haven't finished ordering by the
time they're actually knocking on your door. I have some British
friends who go for dirty weekends at Brown's even though they live
in London. It's very Old World, romantic, tucked away in the heart
of Mayfair."